Instrument for measuring vertical and horizontal distances



(No Model.)

J. SHORT.

INSTRUMENT FOR MEASURING VERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL DISTANCES.

No. 888,375. Patented May 22, 1888" JACOB SHORT, or CONOORDIA, KANSAS.

INSTRUMENT FOR MEASURTNG VERTlCAL AND HORIZONTAL DISTANCES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No, 383,375, dated May 22,1888.

Application filed October 29, 1886. Serial No. 216,983. (No model.)

To aZZ whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JACOB SHORT, a citizen of the United States,residing at Concordia, in the county of Cloud and State of Kansas, haveinvented an Instrument for Measuring Vertical and Horizontal Distanceson Hillsides and other Unlevel and Uneven-Surfaces, of which thefollowing is a specification.

My invention relates to a measuring-instrument, and the object thereofis for taking vertical and horizontal distances on unlevel surfaces,such as hillsides, roofs of houses, stair landings, and all othermeasures where one point is higher than another, and for takingcross-sections in railroad and canal surveys.

For the manner in which this object is attained reference will be had tothe accompanying drawings, wherein like letters of reference indicatesimilar parts in the several views, and in which- Figurel isaperspective view of m y im proved device, showing the horizontalmeasuringarm thereof in position. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of thesame, showing the horizontal arm folded down against the vertical arm.Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of the device as shown arranged in Fig. 2. d

A indicates a horizontal measuring-arm and B the vertical arm. Both ofthe arms A and B are formed with elongated slots a and 1). Metallicshoes 0 are secured to the lower end of arm B, and in like manner asimilar shoe may be applied to the arm A. The vertical arm B and the oneend of the horizontal arm A are provided with stay or brace blocks a andb, the blocks 1) intersecting the slots 1) in the vertical arm B atsuitable intervals. The vertical arm B has spirit-levels 1) arranged atits lower end in horizontal and vertical positions adjacent to the shoe0 and in a vertical position on the front side of the upper end thereof,near one edge. The rear of the said vertical arm is also provided with asimilar spiritlevel about midway the distance between the shoe (3 andthe upper end thereof and near one edge. The arm A near one end is alsoprovided with vertically and horizontally arranged levels a, similarinconstruction and attachment to the levels I) on the arm B. The levelsare all inclosed in metallic cases to prevent breakage.

D is a shifting or sliding block, which is suitably grooved and mortisedand tits in and bears against the sides of the slot 1) in the arm B.

The arm A is in like manner provided with a stationary gage-block, A,which fits within the slot a and whose sides are slightly beveled, oneside thereof being provided with a graduated scale, a", which registersin connection with a graduated scale-strip, a, secured on the said arm Aadjacent to one edge of the slot at, as the said arm is moved. The oneedge of the sliding block Dis also formed with a graduated scale, whichregisters in connection with a metallic scale-strip, b, secured on thearm B adjacent to the one edge of the slot 1).

The arms A and B are pivotally united by a set-screw, S, which passesthrough the blocks D and A thereof, and said parts are stationarilyclamped together by means of a clamping thumbnut, S, engaging with thescrew S.

The block D is capable of vertical adjustment, and in said adjustmentcarries the arm A therewith. The block A, however, is stationary, exceptin its pivotal movement, and when a horizontal adjustment of the arm Aisrequired the nut S is loosened, and the said arm slid in eitherdirection across the face of the arm B.

To clamp the block D in a stationary position against vertical movement,I form a slot in the upper end thereof, in which a metallic socket, E,is secured, the ends of which extend outward beyond the face of saidblock. A screw, S formed upon one end of a metallic clamping-clip, E, ismounted in the project ing ends of the socket E, said clip being bent atits opposite end to fit over the one edge of the arm B. A thumb-nut, Sis mounted on the screw S of the clip E, and by turning Said nut inopposite directions the clip will either bear firmly upon or be loosenedfrom the arm B, and thereby control the block D.

The instrument may be inverted, if so de sired, and the arm A madevertical and the arm B horizontal.

I do not confine myself to the exact form herein shown in theconstruction of the device, nor to any particular dimension or material,as it can be slightly changed or varied in detail and made of anysizeand length desired and of either wood or metal.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is- 1. Thecombination of the slotted arm 13, the movable sliding block D in theslot thereof, slotted arm A, the stationary gage A, the said arms beingpivoted to each other, as set forth, and the block D and gage A beingprovided with scale-marks registering with graduated scale-strips, andthe spirit-levels arranged on the said arms, as shown and described.

2. The combination of the slotted arm B, having the slot thereinintersected by stay or brace blocks, a movable sliding block in saidslot, a metallic socket in the upper end of said sliding block, having aclamping-clip, E, in connection therewith formed with a screwthreadedend, the clamping-screw S having a nut, S thereon, the arm A, havingaslot with a stationary gage-block, A, therein, the screw andclamping-nut for securing the arms A and B together, the said screwpassing through the sliding block D and the block A, the spirit-levelsarranged on the arms A and B, as set forth, and the metallic shoes 0,substantially as described.

JACOB SHORT.

Witnesses:

J. S. SHEARER, G. M. PEPPERREL.

